We are always looking for fun things to do for our dates that might include something more than just a great meal. We love the dining and entertainment aspects of cruising and love finding things that give us the same kind of whimsical joy that you experience when on vacation, even if its just for one night.
Sometimes we have things all planned out and sometimes its just living in the moment. So, when my friend and CEO told me that he and the family were going to the Wick theatre for the grand reopening I quickly said “that’s cool”, we have never been but have been wanting to go. He made a phone call to see if there were still tickets available and luckily there were.
We ate dinner at home (my wife is actually a great cook) and headed to the theatre only because we were unaware that they offer dinner and a show. The Wick theatre is also home to a costume museum and tavern where you can book tours including luncheon and cabaret. They have the original wardrobes from over 35 Broadway productions and revivals. They also have a gourmet tavern with lavish decor inspired by the famed Tavern on the Green, and featuring one of its original chandelier’s.
When we arrived the unassuming building (that I have driven by so many times on Federal Highway) seemed to open up and was much larger than I had previously thought. They had a very nice valet service area and a pretty grand looking entrance. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it was done. This is not your average local theatre as I had expected.
When we went into the ticket area I was struck by the beautiful theatre costumes in the lobby and paused to admire them and couldn’t help but think how I had underestimated this wonderful local gem of a theatre. It turns out that the founder of the Wick Theatre Marilynn A. Wick, is also the Founder & CEO of Costume World, and has devoted her life to amassing the nation’s largest collection of original Broadway wardrobes.
We were escorted to our seats in the theatre area which also surprised me as it is full blown theatre seating nicer than some of the venues on Broadway that I have been to. We sat down and noticed they had done a very nice job of social distancing in the seating area as well as taken into account all the recommended safety measures needed during COVID and felt very comfortable. We spent the next couple hours enjoying the John Denver tribute by Tom Becker and band. The show was wonderful and the band seemed to genuinely enjoy playing and asked if they could sing one more to which they received rousing applause from the audience and ended up playing two more. I especially enjoyed that they gave insight into John Denver’s past as well as their own lives and my wife really enjoyed Tom’s wife who she says “stole the show”.
After the show we all gathered (with social distancing) in the tavern area where there was another amazingly talented singer doing a rendition of “Rocket Man” for desserts and champagne. Overall it was an excellent experience and we enjoyed the décor, the talented singers, and the wonderful people. This is what living and enjoying life is all about and we will be returning to the Wick for many more shows and dinner. We also have plans to visit the museum on a weekend afternoon to experience that as well.
Finally, an authentic and fun experience! Grab a nice glass of wine and join us.
You know when you see a true restaurant experience in the movies and think “Someone should open a restaurant like that near me”? Good news, someone has. Cucina Cabana meaning Cabana Kitchen in Italian reminds me of something you would see in Little Italy (or a sopranos movie) all the way down to the atmosphere and attitude of the staff. It’s like stepping back in time to when restaurants were doing more than just turning over tables, they were creating a dining experience. And WOW, what an experience this was. We immediately fell in love with the staff!
My CEO gave me a gift card that he had received at an event because he knows we write a date night blog and told me to let him know what we thought. Well, Ken, it was amazing. I had never heard of Cucina Cabana before, so we were not sure what to make of it. We looked at the website and discovered that they have a very nice dining room or, and here’s a pro tip for those of you that like a good time and dancing, the supper club piano bar and lounge (which requires you calling ahead and requesting this space), or the outside patio Cabana.
We pulled up on a Saturday night and unfortunately it was raining (actually pouring) so no Ferrari tonight and the first thing you notice is the complementary valet next to the outdoor Cabana where (literally) they roll out the red carpet for you. No, really, there is a red carpet leading to the entrance! I couldn’t help but smile as it appears that you are a 5 star guest. The valet was excellent and quickly opened my wife’s door (many places open the drivers side door rather than the passenger) which tells me that they really think of the total romantic dating experience.
When we came through the front door we were immediately greeted by the lovely and smiling hostess who invited us in and said my wife’s name without us giving it (both girls laughed and the hostess said I remember you from when you called and made the reservation). There was a (very tall) staff member coming through the door at the same time who barreled his way through with his hands full and with a low gruff tone said “watch it” with a big smile then as he passed he offered a Covid elbow bump and followed up with “welcome” and a wink. I couldn’t help but laugh and think to myself “Its literally like being in a sopranos movie” but there was nothing fake about it. The hostess laughed it off and said “move or get run over” with a big grin. She could tell that I thought it was hilarious and we were going to fit right in (if you’re a stuck up or grumpy person go somewhere else). I was impressed with the team in the first 3 minutes and they showed us to our table.
We had requested a table in the Cabana Room because we wanted to enjoy the entertainment and were led into a retro modern styled piano bar space with famous faces like Sinatra and Ricky Ricardo on the back and a Miami like style in the back complete with white painted palm fronds and disco balls (absolutely awesome!). In the space next door, it appears that they also have a cigar experience (and while I don’t smoke I couldn’t help but think my brother would really enjoy that). I took a peek into the main dining room and was shocked to find a very classy and modern style with the complete opposite vibe and couldn’t help but think that they have something for everyone’s style. The entertainment was a solo crooner named “Johnny T.” wearing a black sequined jacket and singing famous songs from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s to include Sinatra and many others. He was great fun and kept the audience engaged throughout the evening. We realized why its so hard to get a reservation, apparently, the table is yours all night no matter which show you choose to show up for so prepare to have a beautiful bottle of wine, cocktail snacks, antipasti, insalata selections, while you relax and enjoy the company and atmosphere.
One of the servers came by and recommended a couple different bottles of wine as well as some starters and we were surprised how reasonable the pricing was for all of it. We ordered a bottle she had recommended and took a few minutes to discuss the incredibly diverse menu. Normally we are reduced to only a few things that we like so its easy but here everything we saw sounded delicious and we had trouble reducing it to only four appetizers and a main course 😊. Then our waitress came by and introduced herself as well as her backup staff and laughed when she took our order. The wine was fantastic (Austin Hope cabernet) and they opened it with the full 5 star service. We relaxed and enjoyed the bread (the cheese bread was excellent) and oil selection while the entertainment began to get going. The hostess came back to check on us with a big smile and said, “this is your first time here right”? I began to get the feeling that the service here was much more than typical and we really felt like special guests.
And then the food came….., what is the Italian translation of good food, good wine, good friends?
We ordered the Marinated olives and artichokes (maybe the best I have ever had), the Salumi e Formaggi board (a wonderful selection of cured meats and cheeses), Polpette del Casa (house special meatballs, ricotta and tomato sauce), and the Lobster & Burrata (Not your typical burrata and heavenly). It became instantly obvious that the quality of ingredients was world class, and this is one place that does not skimp on anything. Our main course was the Chicken Parmigiana and it was as big as the plate. Clearly, we were not going to be able to eat all this food and the staff was already packing our leftovers in a bag for us. I was blown away with the high quality and care they take to make sure the food is nothing short of outstanding! Unreal and highly unusual even in the best of restaurants.
The entertainer kept the great atmosphere going and several people got up to dance (yes, they cleared tables out of the way to make a dance floor in the middle of the room). This is much more than a high-quality restaurant and show, it’s a fully interactive experience. The manager came by to check on us (dressed to the 9’s in a three-piece suit) and we asked about the Halloween night party knowing that they were probably completely booked. He said he would see what he could do and would come back and let us know. He was a man of his word and returned in a few minutes but rather than just saying there was nothing he could do he said “I’m sorry, we are fully reserved, but if you would like we can make sure you get a table outside where it will still be a great experience”. We agreed as we were not expecting anything and thanked him for being genuine and honest with us. The truth is based on our first experience we are really looking forward to it. The waitress came back with some complimentary limoncello which I thought was a really nice and authentic touch. Then she returned with some amazing desserts and when we laughed because of all the food we had ordered she suggested taking it to go and enjoying later. Its like she knows us…. 😊. We agreed and took home a fabulous mixed berries pie on what we think was creme brulee.
When all was done, and we were preparing to leave everyone was coming over to say goodbye and genuinely ask if we had a great experience (It felt very special and even the performer gave me a fist bump while he was walking by). I should point out that we do not get paid to do this and do not tell the staff that we write a blog so as not to spoil the true experience. This was all just genuinely how they treat guests (literally like family) and its amazing. The manager caught me on the way out and took a moment to introduce me to the owner who was very gracious and also dressed to the 9’s with a full 4 piece and a fedora as I thanked him for the experience and complimented his staff. He and I had caught eyes earlier in the night and just gave each other a nod. Very cool.
Many places talk about a special experience, but Cucina Cabana delivers it in spades. I now have a new favorite restaurant and can’t wait to bring my friends and family along to share in this experience with us. Next time I will wear my dancing shoes……
My wonderful and beautiful daughter sent us a gift card for RH as an anniversary present. It was a very thoughtful gift because she knew that we write a date night blog and found a special rooftop experience near us to enjoy (thank you kiddo). Now, on to the experience.
Well, I think I found my limit of Boujee (slang for something “luxurious in lifestyle yet humble in character,”) and this was it. Only, I would describe it as missing the humble part. The funny part is we pulled up in a Ferrari and I still felt out of place here. My good friend Jason laughed when I told him about the experience and said, “you can buy the clothes but that doesn’t mean you will feel comfortable or fit in”. He was totally right.
Located in downtown West Palm Beach the RH building is 4 stories of retail, design and restaurant. They offer valet service, and the entrance is quite beautiful with a large water feature, big glass windows and oversized crystal chandeliers. The entrance is quite something and leaves a grand impression. I will admit that the building itself with an amazing aviary glass ceiling at the top is quite impressive.
We arrived early to walk through the design showrooms. They have everything organized by room design and inspiration. It occurred to me pretty quickly that everything seems to be duplicated side to side apparently to maintain balance and symmetry (I actually found it off putting, as if we are so simple minded that we cant handle an entire room design). While we did find some beautiful things, we also noticed that the prices were nothing short of outrageous (we noticed our master bedroom bedspread only it was RH brand and 10x the price we paid at Macy’s). We also noticed that this was a pattern for everything and seeing knock off designer brands (especially the lighting) with the RH brand (white label directly from China) with huge markups made me wonder why anyone would purchase anything here. As we were walking around, I noticed that many of the patrons were dressed in high style (as if this were a nightclub or somewhere to “show off” your designer clothes).
The check in area for the restaurant is on the fourth floor and is quite impressive. The main area has trees with chandeliers in them and a huge oversized chandelier hanging from the glass top ceiling. There are different styles for different sections of the restaurant, and we were seated in what seemed to be the wine cellar area. I get that they were going for romantic and comfortable but the lighting was so dim and the menu’s text was so small that I couldn’t read anything (It felt like it was a 5 font). They sat us in a small section with 4 other sets of customers and I immediately felt crowded and even though I am not overly concerned about Covid safety in most restaurants, this one made me uncomfortable. The seating (which was apparently intended to be more of a casual experience with couches and chairs you would put in a sitting area) was clearly more about look and design than comfort. I sat on the couch and my knees felt like they were in my chest because it was awkwardly short, the table was too small (like 24” round) and great for drinks but inappropriate for eating dinner, and all the seating was far too close together. I was immediately uncomfortable and confused and couldn’t understand why they would seat us in a crowded area when the main dining hall had many seats open (I got the feeling that they had judged us and sat us in the back corner). Overall, it was a very uncomfortable experience and I couldn’t hide my reaction and disappointment.
The waiter came over to make recommendations and get our drink order but I had difficulty hearing him because the overhead music was too loud and when I responded he apparently had the same problem and asked me to repeat myself (I found myself almost yelling at him). My wife noticed how uncomfortable I was and asked if I wanted to leave. My wonderful daughter set up this experience and I was determined to see it through. Hopefully, the food will make up for the rest…… Nope.
We ordered our drinks and quite frankly I don’t even remember what it was. We ordered Delice De Bourgogne cheese plate with strawberry preserve (which was good, albeit simple with one cheese and strawberry preserve, and probably the only thing I liked here) and the burrata. The cheese and tomatoes in the burrata were good (but that’s pretty hard to mess up) but the bread seemed to be more like toasted Wonder bread with a fake smokey flavor and left us confused. We also ordered the Lobster roll and had trouble fitting everything on the table. The lobster roll was good, not great, and I couldn’t understand why all the lobster was literally on top of the bread and almost none inside. And then I realized that they are more concerned about how something looks than how it tastes, overpriced mediocre products, food, and service, and that pretty much sums up our entire experience.
By now I was super uncomfortable and wanted to run out screaming. I clearly don’t belong here and am not nearly cool enough to find this a pleasant experience (my wife is a bit more boujee and cooler than me thought it was ok). Perhaps if I didn’t care about enjoying our experience, eating good food, or even sitting in a reasonably comfortable chair while not feeling underdressed or judged, I could have appreciated this experience.
Overall, it was a not so great and overpriced experience. We would suggest that you spend your precious time and money at one of the other great restaurants in the area.
Sometimes our “dates” are things we do together locally. My wife and I appreciate gardens and the work it takes to keep them beautiful (she has quite the green thumb and a good amount of experience with Florida gardens). We had an acre on the water in Deland with 23 or so fruit trees, butterfly garden, rose garden, cutting garden (for vase flowers), and a vegetable garden. She had everything mapped out with well over 200 flowers, plants, trees, etc. and it was beautiful and peaceful. So, we always love going to zoos and gardens. It makes for a great afternoon date together enjoying the magic of nature.
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is a center for Japanese arts and culture located west of Delray Beach in Palm Beach County. The 16-acre authentic Japanese gardens were opened in 1977 when one of the original colony settlers donated his land to Palm Beach County with the wish for it to become a park to preserve the memory of the Yamato Colony. In the early 1900s, a group of young Japanese farmers arrived in Boca Raton and formed an agricultural colony they called “Yamato”, an ancient name for Japan. Unfortunately, the farming proved to be unsustainable and almost all of the original settlers returned to Japan. Today, visitors enjoy the Roji-en gardens, museum art and galleries, an authentic tea house, and year-round cultural events and festivals.
We waited out front to purchase tickets while they observed social distancing and greeted each visitor while providing great information to give you the best possible experience. Each adult was $15, or you could purchase a membership. Since it was $30 for one day and $95 for a dual membership (which includes free admission for a year, Members-only priority access to the Lantern Festival, Exclusive invitations to members-only receptions and events, and discounts at the museum gift shop and café. We opted for the membership and were guided to the cashier where we also purchased a couple bags of fish and turtle food (for only $1 each).
Upon entering the gardens you are suddenly aware of how large it really is. There is a large pond/lake area in front of you and the trails that circle it. On the right is a small café with excellent views and a good Japanese based menu. We decided to walk around the Roji-en: Garden of the Drops of Dew. There is a free self-tour app you can download and get insider information about the tea house and galleries, images, and audio content about the 25 different points to observe and enjoy on the map. There is a beautiful bridge that marks the entrance to the gardens, and we made our way around the paths in a slow and enjoyable way. I especially liked the bamboo grove and the sounds of the stalks as they knock against each other in the breeze. My wife appreciated the serenity of the lake and water features (including a couple of nice, and relatively large waterfalls).
We quickly discovered that wearing the ever-popular flip flops (basic Florida weekend gear) was a poor choice for a long walk on a pebble path and we would recommend wearing comfortable closed toe shoes. We also really enjoyed the brightly colored Koi and turtles in the lake. There are plenty of great spots to feed them and see them come relatively close but fair warning about the fish food as it smells really bad and will make your hands smell bad also (still worth it).
We circled back to the café for lunch. I ordered the crab cakes and crispy shrimp appetizer (basically fried food) and the chicken gyoza (pan fried dumplings). My wife ordered the classic bento box (which was quite large) and truthfully, we could have probably shared just that. We found a nice spot in the café seating with a nice breeze and relaxed while we enjoyed our day together. The walk around the paths are incredible and there are many things to see and learn about. Unfortunately, due to Covid there are restricted activities going on right now, so we are looking forward to several trips over the next year to do and see everything.
If you are looking for a peaceful afternoon date this should be on your list. As the Japanese believe, “Kachou Fuugestu” meaning “find yourself in nature”.
For our anniversary we always try to do something extra special and with what’s going on in the world today that is a bit more difficult. So, while our options were limited, we wanted to find a very romantic atmosphere and service on a Monday night. We decided on the recently renovated Prime Catch in Boynton Beach who happens to have live Maine Lobster specials on Monday nights.
The parking is good, but they have a free valet service with an exceptionally friendly and quick team of valets so we would recommend that. The front of the building is a little deceptive and reminds me of a quaint row of key west townhomes. Upon entering the building, you immediately realize how large the building really is. They have an amazing sense of style with a great mix of classy and cool modern. The lighting near the check in is spectacular and goes up to the second story and represents a “smack” (group of jellyfish). We made a reservation for the outside deck and noted on Open Table (where we make all our reservations) that it was our anniversary. We were immediately greeted with a warm “Happy Anniversary” at check in. I noticed that there were tables upstairs and large indoor seating areas. We were led to past a nice bar area and to the exceptionally large outdoor seating area and “Prime Island” boat parking and bar area (absolutely stunning!). The outdoor area is simply beautiful and has a huge deck on spectacular water views (including lights on the water). They had a special table for us and sat us right next to the water (very romantic).
The service is quick and friendly with our server adding “Happy Anniversary”. My wife is not a fan of the singing and surprises so I was hoping that they would not do that. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they did not do the over the top thing but did simple and sincere comments which I really liked. We ordered our drinks and are always looking for the fun and quirky specials you can get at certain restaurants (like this one). My wife ordered the Dragon Fruit Margarita and I had the Watermelon Margarita, they were both fun and delicious.
We decided not to order appetizers this night, but their list of appetizers is very good. We were here for the live main lobster and wanted to not be too full when we got to them. We sometimes order the appetizers and fill up on them before the main course is brought to the table and did not want that to happen tonight. They offered 1, 1 1/2, and 2-pound lobster with steamed, grilled, or stuffed options. My wife ordered a 1 ½ pound steamed and I ordered the 1 ½ pound crab stuffed. The lobsters arrived and they looked amazing. They were perfectly cooked, and both were delicious. They bring all the necessary accoutrements (small forks, shell crackers, and even the obligatory bibs). The lobster comes with a side and my wife got the whipped mashed potato’s and I got the baked stuffed potato. Both were delicious. My wife doesn’t like to clean a steamed lobster so I always get stuck cleaning hers too (a small price to pay considering I get to eat lobster on my anniversary in a great atmosphere with my wonderful wife 😊).
We often don’t order dessert (mostly because we are already full) but tonight we had the flourless swiss chocolate tort and I ordered a cappuccino. We sat for a while and just enjoyed the moment together in this beautiful setting. We really enjoyed ourselves and if you are looking for a place to spend time with your special someone this should be at the top of your list.
Have you ever had a calm relaxing afternoon with your special someone and want somewhere nice to round out the day? Yeah, it’s kind of like that…..
Located in Boca Center this new restaurant cannot be missed. The parking can be difficult in Boca Center but they offer very convenient valet service right in front of Copperfish Kitchen which is a plus on a busy weekend evening. We decided to visit for brunch on a Saturday afternoon so there was plenty of parking. One of my friends recommended Copperfish because I am a seafood lover this seemed perfect. They have seating outdoors (prime people watching) and a beautifully decorated interior. The staff was very pleasant and gave us a romantic corner booth where we could see all the action going on outside and we happened to see some friends walking by (my wife was so happy to see them and it was a bit of a serendipitous moment).
There was an interesting and fun decor with two beautiful fish sculptures hanging from a living blue ceiling that seemed to mimic the oceans movements (very clever) and the atmosphere, including a lighted wine wall was very serene. They were quick with the service and we were especially impressed with the excellent staff. I rarely remember the names of staff unless they are exceptional, and Raul was.
We loved the choices from the brunch or lunch menu and were excited to see bottomless Mimosa’s and Bloody Mary’s (they also have bottomless Draft beer and Bellini’s). I think sometimes when a restaurant offers bottomless drinks, they are slow to keep them coming. We were pleasantly surprised at how attentive the team was and never had to ask them for another. The brunch menu was surprisingly large and had a great variety (from classic breakfast to raw bar). I ordered the coconut curry mussels which were incredibly good, and my wife ordered the lobster roll which was excellent. My wife is picky about what they put in a lobster roll and we were incredibly pleased to see that it was simply butter poached Maine lobster, chives, beurre monte (aka drawn butter). This may be the best lobster roll we have had in years and is definitely worth trying.
Overall, we really enjoyed the experience at Copperfish Kitchen and will be back another time to try dinner.
Hidden gem, that’s what I think of when eating at Café Chardonnay. Its one of those little places tucked away in an ordinary shopping center that you would pass by if you didn’t know it was there. But for those that do know it becomes an instant favorite. My wife and I first discovered it when we were dating about 15 years ago and it seems to be one of those places that has a bit of a magical and romantic quality that never seems to age.
The parking is nothing special and there are no valets but there is always a warm and friendly greeting for you at the door (As if they were waiting just for you). You can easily find a parking spot with a short walk to the gardens like entrance. I would recommend reservations as it gets quite busy with regulars. This time we were running about 10 mins late (I know, bad etiquette, my wife really dislikes being late) and they called our phone to see if we were running late or would like to reschedule. Rather than this feeling like a bother it genuinely came off as a courteous and thoughtful (pleasant) interaction. We answered the phone and told them we were parking and we all chuckled when we came in 30 seconds later.
There is seating indoors and out and when its cool enough we really enjoy sitting on the intimate patio (really it appears to be a decorated sidewalk). I guess that’s part of the charm of this place and although it is in a busy shopping center it still feels like its hidden away. I don’t know that I can say there is a bad seat as each one seems to have its own cozy feeling and we really appreciate the simple decorations and oversized (comically oversized) wine and champagne bottles. This time we sat upstairs as it was busy in the main dining room and found it to be very nice.
The service is always very attentive and friendly with the entire staff seemingly looking out for you (obviously a great team). Our waiter was pleasant and welcomed us back. I always find it surprising and very welcoming when the staff remembers you for no particular reason. There is no secret why people keep coming back to Café Chardonnay, the food is consistently excellent. Every place seems to have good nights and bad but we have yet to have a bad experience or food here. We ordered our drinks (I particularly like a bartender that can make a good dirty martini with fresh stuffed blue cheese olives) and my wife asked the waiter to recommend a good sauvignon blanc (this is one of those places that you can do that and they will make an excellent selection for you).
We ordered brandied lobster bisque and beefsteak tomato with buffalo mozzarella salad as appetizers and the waiter asked if we would like to have him split it. We often share appetizers and I appreciate any restaurant that doesn’t make this difficult or just dump an extra plate on the table. I am a bit picky about a good lobster bisque and this one is lovely. The caprese was excellent as well. They serve what must be a fresh bread along with a very nice hummus for the table instead of butter that adds a little extra something to the warmth of the meal. For the main course we ordered Jumbo lump crab cake and the butter basted Maine lobster and scallops. The flavors were amazing (as usual) and we had a wonderful evening.
If your looking for a simple, understated, romantic and slightly magical dining experience we would put this at the top of the list. Although it doesn’t have the wonderful views, valet service and over the top modern designs of some of the other places it makes up for it in spades with excellent food, service and a special touch (je ne sais quoi). Highly recommended…
Ok, so I should preface this by saying that we do not get compensated in any way for these posts or opinions and they are just that opinions and we decided early on to be totally honest about our experiences. You may have different experiences than we have depending on the night or your expectations. With that said, we have been to Banana Boat several times and the experiences vary from wonderful to underwhelmed. This visit just happened to be the underwhelmed experience.
The parking is always a bit challenging here unless you choose to valet (which we recommend). The valet service is complimentary and you tip based on your level of comfort. We will typically tip between $10-15 at most places all in (these folks are trying to make a living and provide a service that feels special). There is a parking garage nearby but there is a charge for that also so I would rather support the hard-working valet team for a few extra dollars. Unfortunately, they sometimes struggle with my car (not their fault) because it can be a little complicated to figure out. I always ask if they are familiar with the car and they always respond with a slightly incredulous “yes” but then struggle to figure out how to get it out of park or turn it off. We haven’t shown you the date night car because while it makes our night a little more special it is certainly not necessary for you to have a great time. The car is a Ferrari California convertible (OK, I know what you’re thinking but to be fair my daily driver is a 7 year old Prius so we are not really pretentious but enjoy special moments and items, this is one of those. The car was a gift from my wonderful wife and a dream come true since I was a kid). To be honest the car is not intuitive and the day we bought it the dealership had to teach me how to drive it. We had to look up how to put it in park on Google the first day 😊. So, sometimes we must teach a humbled valet how to take it out of gear, put in park, start, etc. I will include some pictures of it this time.
The Location at Banana boat is spectacular with direct intercoastal views and a beautiful nearby bridge (E Ocean Ave). They have a casual atmosphere, but the wait can be long if you don’t have reservations, so we definitely recommend you use Open Table or call ahead. They have a wonderfully comfortable indoor and outdoor setup with protection from the sun and a nice breeze. It sort of reminds me of an upscale bar type atmosphere (light hearted and fun) with mostly beautiful seating outdoors. On this occasion we sat at possibly the worst seat in the house (up against the wall, next to the bar, on a corner that everybody hangs over your shoulder, and anyone smoking nearby seems to blow it in your direction) but have been fortunate in the past to have some really amazing tables. Now, I realize that these are first world problems and we are super fortunate to even be together sharing a dinner in this wonderful place but the truth is that if this was the experience we had the first time we probably would not have ever come back.
The service is usually rather good, and we have never had a complaint before this visit. Unfortunately, our service was poor this time. The waitress seemed to also be the bartender and not focused on her tables. She struggled with the drinks, no straws (my wife’s pet peeve) and I had to get up several times to get my own straws (that she said she couldn’t find) from the other side of the bar and ask them to change a slightly inappropriate and distracting television station. She got a little better as the night went on but it was too late. We still tip at least 20% no matter what because the staff is working to take care of their families and they cannot always be perfect. We also realize that the service is a big part of the overall experience and can immediately change your perception of a restaurant, so we try to take each part of the experience separately.
The menu is casual and slightly upscale bar food. No matter the other variables the food always seems to be good and put us in a better mood. We ordered the lobster nachos and they are surprisingly generous with the amount of lobster so we would recommend these as a great shareable appetizer. I ordered the seafood crepe which was incredibly unique and a good blend of flavors. My wife ordered the sliders but we filled up on nachos, so we took them to go (they did make a nice lunch for the next day) and they were delicious. Both came with a side and we chose the house salad. We sometimes enjoy a basic side salad that keeps it simple and that is exactly what you get here.
After dinner we try to take a few moments to enjoy the drinks and relax in this fun environment. Sometimes they have live music and we were surprised and a little disappointed that they did not tonight.
We ended our meal at Banana Boat a little less impressed than in the past but we would certainly go back. The valet struggled to start the car and I had to teach him how to put it in park (which was slightly funny and he was appreciative saying “I wont forget that, thank you”). Then we went for a nice cruise down A1A in the beautiful evening, convertible top down, and just appreciated getting to spend this time together.
As a good friend and mentor would say “Uncomfortable and bad situations always give you the best stories so remember that and learn to laugh about it”.
One of the best trips my wife and I have ever had was a spur of the moment trip to Paris. It was terribly cold (some days around 17 degrees) and they had just had torrential flooding but we fell in love with the city. Our favorite thing was the relaxed general attitude of “assez bien” (good enough) on most things. I say most things, but I don’t mean their food (especially bread, wine, and coffee) which they take very seriously. We have struggled to find a French restaurant that recreated the feeling and food over the years and have been on a search for a basic staple in France called a “Parisian Baguette” or as we know it “Ham and cheese” sandwich. When in France we enjoyed finding small shops and local cafés that served this as a simple and basic light lunch. We feel like we finally found such a little bistro in Casimir French Bistro and are very excited to share this little secret with you.
The parking at Royal Palm Place in Boca is a bit strange with one ways and angled parking so take your time and have some patience. It’s a short walk from anywhere so park wherever you like.
We have not had the need to make reservations (although they do them) but we have only gone for a nice casual lunch so you may want to do that for dinner. The atmosphere is perfect and reminds us of every bistro in Paris with a casual attitude and friendly service. We have had what must be the owner or manager serve us several times and I get the feeling they really take pride in delivering a good experience. They have indoor and outdoor seating and depending on the weather we like to sit outside as it is reminiscent of the patio seating in Paris. The interior is clean and has plenty of wall art and décor to be very interesting and cozy.
Yes, yes, but the food…… When we first sat at a bistro in Paris and ordered a basic sandwich they asked how we wanted it and we replied with “however you normally do it”. They served it with butter not mayo (as traditional in the states) and this strikes me as funny considering that Mayonnaise was invented in Paris, and toasted or cold (but typically toasted). There must be something about the ham and cheese that is different and the combination of flavors with the butter and crisp fresh baguette is unmistakable and amazing. You can get a half sandwich and soup combo or the full size sandwich and salad which we prefer when it’s hot out. I am not sure what they put on the salad but its excellent and a perfect amount of food for a nice lunch.
We enjoy the service, the food, and the atmosphere here and if the weather is right we will take a stroll around the plaza to see the local shops. If you want to escape to Paris for an hour or so this is a great spot. We hope you enjoy the simple things and this is one of them!
We love to stop at Mizner Park for window shopping and a nice lunch. This is a beautiful place just to cruise through with outdoor dining, fountains and often live music. The parking lately has been quite nice and its not difficult to find a spot on the main drive. Normally they have valet service right in front of The Blue Fish but with COVID-19 the valet service has been paused. There are also parking garages with easy access close by.
The Blue Fish is in the center of all the action and a beautiful spot for lunch or dinner with good options for outdoor dining and people watching. Now, I will say that Palm Beach Florida in the middle of August can get a little warm (the feels like while we were there was probably 104) so make sure you find a shady table with some breeze. They do have seating outdoors under cover and shade with fans that is quite nice, or you can eat in the main dining indoors with air conditioning. We chose a spot outside in the shade because of the nearby fountains and lively atmosphere. The interior has a cozy feeling and an amazing wall of wine.
The service was quick and attentive with a friendly attitude. Our server was genuinely nice and made us feel welcome. We ordered water and drinks. I had a cold beer and my wife had a glass of white wine and we relaxed in the shade. My wife ordered the chicken teriyaki rice bowl and a side salad with ginger dressing, I had the Hawaiian roll. The rice bowl was delicious, and my Hawaiian roll was excellent. I was taking a risk with a roll that had pineapple in it and was not sure how it would turn out, but I was surprised at how great the flavors worked together. It was bright and light (perfect for lunch) with a great mix of sweet and salty. I would definitely order it again.
There was live music nearby and this made for a wonderful overall experience that makes you appreciate being in the moment with your significant other. After lunch we went for a walk and some window shopping before ending our enjoyable afternoon at Mizner Park.
Date Nights Palm Beach 